Windsor named host for FINA world short-course swimming championships in 2016

Guelph Mercury

ISTANBUL — The 2016 FINA world short-course swimming championships will be held in Windsor, Ont., in 2016.

The announcement was made Tuesday at a news conference at Istanbul’s Sinan Erdem Arena on the eve of this year’s event.

“I have the pleasure to announce that today the FINA Bureau awarded the organization of the event of 2016 to the city of Windsor in Canada,” FINA president Julio Maglione said.

“We congratulate the city of Windsor, the Aquatic Federation of Canada, and Swimming Canada,” he added. “I am sure that we will have a great FINA world short course championship in 2016.”

Windsor, in partnership with neighbouring Detroit, was up against Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates to host the 2016 event. Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis made a presentation to the board in the morning, showcasing how the joint bid would work and the outstanding facilities in the area.

“The fact that we’re moving forward and Detroit is going to be helping us get the region ready to welcome the world is going to be an exciting and unique aspect of the bid, and a unique and exciting aspect of our hosting the FINA world championships in 2016,” Francis said.

“People that come will be able to experience this massive and significant event with one destination against the backdrop of two countries.”

Swimming Canada chief executive Pierre Lafontaine was also on hand for the morning presentation and announcement.

“What a great day today for us in Canada,” Lafontaine said. “I think hosting the world short course in Windsor will be a brilliant opportunity for us to not just showcase Canada and showcase Windsor, but also to inspire the next generation.”